Australian politics is about to get even more intriguing. Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is making a surprising comeback, this time as the leader of One Nation’s Legislative Council ticket in South Australia’s upcoming state election. But here’s where it gets controversial: Bernardi’s move marks the second high-profile defection from the Coalition to One Nation in just a few months, following former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s switch late last year. This shift raises big questions about the future of conservative politics in Australia—and whether One Nation is becoming the new home for disenchanted ex-Coalition members.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been openly courting current and former Liberal and National MPs, capitalizing on the Coalition’s dismal polling numbers. With Bernardi on board, Hanson is doubling down on her strategy to position One Nation as a viable alternative to the major parties. But this is the part most people miss: under South Australia’s upper house system, One Nation needs just over 8% of the vote to secure Bernardi a seat—a goal that now seems more achievable than ever, given the party’s recent surge in support.
Bernardi’s political journey has been anything but straightforward. After quitting the Liberals in 2017 to launch his own Australian Conservatives party, the venture fizzled out just two years later, failing to attract even 1% of the Senate vote in the 2019 federal election. Now, he’s joining forces with Hanson, claiming there’s ‘very little difference’ between Labor and the Liberals in South Australia. ‘They’re effectively one party,’ he argues, ‘and that’s bad news for South Australians.’
Hanson, for her part, seems thrilled. ‘I’ve been in positive discussions with Cory for some time,’ she said. ‘He shares our vision for South Australia’s future.’ But what does this vision entail? And is it enough to win over voters in a state where One Nation currently holds no parliamentary seats? The party’s only MP in South Australia, Sarah Game, quit last year, leaving One Nation starting from scratch—though they’ve ambitiously announced plans to run candidates in all lower house seats this March.
This development comes at a critical time, as One Nation has overtaken the Coalition in several recent opinion polls. But here’s the real question: Is Bernardi’s move a sign of One Nation’s growing influence, or a desperate attempt by a former political heavyweight to stay relevant? And what does this mean for the Coalition, which is already struggling to maintain its base? Is One Nation the future of conservatism in Australia, or just a temporary refuge for disillusioned politicians? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
